Network operation technician vs network manager

The differences between network operation technicians and network managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a network operation technician and a network manager. Additionally, a network manager has an average salary of $97,578, which is higher than the $64,272 average annual salary of a network operation technician.

The top three skills for a network operation technician include troubleshoot, network operations and customer service. The most important skills for a network manager are customer service, fault management, and network infrastructure.

Network operation technician vs network manager overview

	Network Operation Technician	Network Manager
Yearly salary	$64,272	$97,578
Hourly rate	$30.90	$46.91
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	68,874	36,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a network operation technician do?

A network operation technician is responsible for providing technical assistance with computer network issues. Network operation technicians repair and troubleshoot networks and routers, identifying the source of defects by listening to the customers and determining step-by-step guidelines for resolution. They also configure servers to optimize the network's performance and recommend strategies to improve the system's infrastructure. A network operation technician must have excellent organizational and technical skills, especially in explaining the network problems to the customers and addressing preventive maintenance.

What does a network manager do?

A network manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation. A network manager must have excellent knowledge of technology disciplines and should always be updated with the recent technology trends, guiding the network staff on their tasks and immediately resolving system defects and discrepancies.

Network operation technician vs network manager salary

Network operation technicians and network managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Network Operation Technician	Network Manager
Average salary	$64,272	$97,578
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $99,000	Between $71,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City	Mountain View, CA	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Bloomberg	Meta
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between network operation technician and network manager education

There are a few differences between a network operation technician and a network manager in terms of educational background:

	Network Operation Technician	Network Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Computer Information Systems	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Network operation technician vs network manager demographics

Here are the differences between network operation technicians' and network managers' demographics:

	Network Operation Technician	Network Manager
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3%	Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network operation technician and network manager duties and responsibilities

Network operation technician example responsibilities.

Control and manage digital, voice and data circuits with DMS, SNMP and X.400-500 protocols.
Manage, install, and setup network interface devices (NIDS) via VPN and private IP.
Manage the F5 BigIP GTM/LTM appliances to include writing iRules, SSL offload and everyday task of creating WIP and VIPs.
Perform basic network routing troubleshooting via BGP, OSPF.
Update and maintain DNS records for stores, call centers and vendors in a Unix environment.
Process configuration changes on Cisco routers, switches and monitor Aruba wireless controllers.

Network manager example responsibilities.

Negotiate and manage customer SLA's.
Manage a remote nationwide team of database Sr.
Manage vendor for all PBX move add and changes.
Manage environment in support of define CDRL's and SLA's.
Lead the architecture design for PCI (payment card industry) compliance.
Manage iRules and VIP setup on F5's and juniper load balance.

Network operation technician vs network manager skills

Common network operation technician skills

Troubleshoot, 9%
Network Operations, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
NOC, 5%
Switches, 5%
Technical Support, 4%

Common network manager skills

Customer Service, 12%
Fault Management, 6%
Network Infrastructure, 5%
Switches, 4%
Network Hardware, 4%
Project Management, 4%

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Network Operation Technician
Network Operation Technician vs Network Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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